“Hello Doll. Why can’t I get one of these things?”
“You are right on time; as usual. He is ready for you, I think. You may go right in.”
“Ah, thanks…Why don’t you let me take you away from all this? You should be my secretary, now that the big guy is retired. At least, call me Jake.”
“In your dreams…Anyway; I have been with the GGM for more than thirteen years now. I would never leave. And, if you remember, protocol is protocol. Thanks for sharing, though.”
“Yeah well, I’m too old for you anyway.”
“I didn’t say that, love.” She winked.
Their banter made him forget the morning ride. Jake walked around her desk and, as the buzzer sounded, he strolled between the mirrored sliding doors behind her, into Swanson’s loft office suite. There were wall-to-wall carved bookshelves, and rustic Adirondack furniture, with all manner of character carvings and hieroglyphics etched everywhere.
Frankly, I miss the Santa patterned Victorian chairs, and the fireplace.
He stood ridged, at first; but, after a moment, he felt an overwhelming calm, as if he were meditating.
“Hello Burns! Is that you down there? Make yourself at home. I’ll be right down.”
Jake snapped out of his euphoric moment, and sat down in the plush leather chair, next to Swanson’s desk, which, by the way, was a priceless heirloom and looked like an upside down pyramid, levitating.
“Great; thank you, Sir.”
He began watching the eight-60 inch floating monitors, positioned around the room, displaying Ever-Life’s news. After having headset sessions, Jake understood all the different languages, appearing on video and tape texts, at the bottom of each screen.
How did I live without this shit, all those years? If only Watzin knew. Christ, if the boys in New York knew; I’d never live any of this down.
One of the tape text feeds, interrupted his nostalgia. Within seconds, all the monitors reported the exact same story: Billionaire Marion Brock returns to buy Time Travel Inc.
Jake’s eyes widened. “Oh my God!”
He tapped his Knofer; and, it did confirm the authenticity of the reports. Swanson was walking down the stairs, staring at the monitors.
“Sir; is this from surface news? The feed is all the same.”
“You know we don’t get that crap. These are from our resources. It is very strange. Our systems don’t work like this, all channels displaying the same video. It is as if someone has hacked into us.”
Jake tapped his Knofer again and executed a defense protocol to trace.
“I’ve got nothing...”
Swanson stopped for a second at the bottom of the stairs. “All of it says Marion Brock is alive. I have to wonder…”
He walked to his desk, hesitated; and then, he took a book out of the drawer, and tossed it in front of Jake. It was titled, Ever-Life.
“I wonder if any of that, or our recent event at the ceremony, have to do with ‘this’? Perhaps it is no longer a private matter, just between you and me…?”
Jake picked up the book, while he listened to Swanson.
“…Somehow, we have to fix this, my friend. The book is about all of, us down here; and, it was written long ago in 2011. There is a stamp on the first page that says N.Y.C. Public Library.”
Jake took a deep breath, while Swanson pointed, annoyed at what he saw.
“This may already have had earth shattering implications. There are pictures of Carriers in it. Did you read this paragraph? ‘Many people write stories they imagine. That is fiction today. But what if someone writes a ‘true’ story that hasn’t happened yet?’…And precisely, what do you think that means? You sent this to me, via Carrier; so there would be no record in ‘head-set’ files. You must have suspected something…?”
Swanson gestured to the monitors.
“…And now; the Brock story? If this book was on the surface, for that many years; and Brock, or one of his gofers read it; my God, man! How many copies were made; do you know?”
“No, Sir.”
“The more I think about it, the more I am certain they are related somehow. Put what is on those monitors and in this book together, along with the Carrier episode at Mathew’s ceremony; and what story do you come up with, eh?”
“Perhaps, Sir; but, it is a very interesting story.”
“And I know I’ll love it. Apparently, it is a story worth writing a book about, eh? Tell me, Jake; we don’t have all the time in the world, anymore. After all, the book has existed for how long now, centuries? Do give me the who, what, where, when and how of this. And, now would be a good time to start.”
Swanson plopped in his chair.
“Puzzling too, since Brock was taken away by a Carrier, those months ago.”
Swanson began fidgeting, while he looked at a Carrier model, which he kept on the right corner of his desk. Suddenly, his desk top Knofer ticked. He tapped it, and a three-foot hologram appeared of Marion Brock. Swanson’s jaw dropped. Jake quickly grabbed his Knofer again, and pushed buttons to record and send to GGM Bellos. At the same time, he triggered the next level of Ever-Life’s security protocols to 313, and alerted all colony Post Controllers. Then, both Jake and Swanson fixed on the hologram.
“Hello Gordon.”
Brock smiled that arrogant sinister grin.
“I can tell by your usual blank expression that I’ve interrupted nothing. Long time no see. As I recall, you thought I was swallowed into the Earth’s core; gone, forever. So, I thought I would call and tell you; I’m just fine; never was dead, really. I do hope you are prepared?”
“Frankly Marion, nothing you do surprises me. How did you get my number, by the way?”
“Hah, well, I do love a sense of humor, old boy. To put it bluntly; I plan to make some changes, and you are one of them. You see; I just acquired a new research complex. You just saw the ads. The point is, old man; we are going to compete. I thought a ‘heads up’, so to speak, was in order.”
“Marion, even your laws don’t allow you to compete with Brock/Swanson.”
“Of course not; I’m talking about your little Ever-Life secret. I’m talking about your ‘time travel’ operation. You see; I have kept up, on what the old staff is doing. My new Complex will be…Oh I’m sorry; what I meant to say was, my new Complex ‘is’ fully operational. Anyway, it’s dedicated to stopping your Ever-Life, from becoming, well, ‘forever-life’…I am saving that little jewel, for myself. You will have never existed, in the first place, when I’m done…I just wanted you to know, my fool hearty friend. I told you a long time ago, you didn’t have a clue; and I meant it. I wanted you to know, the bullet is coming, my dear partner; and it’s coming from me, personally, to you. Have a nice day. Oh, one more thing; I would like to compliment you on these little gadgets, they are called Knofers, right? Quite fun, actually.”
The hologram disappeared; and, the monitors went completely black. All went quiet. The two men looked around, as if expecting something else.
“Now that man, definitely has issues.” Jake quipped.
“Hmm…” Swanson rocked back in his chair. “…So, either he read this book, or; it’s something else. And then, there is the issue of the Carrier at the ceremony, and the earthquakes, and the explosion…Wheeler.”
“Yes Sir; we shipped his body to lab 202.”
“Any news on him?”
“GGM is handling, personally. He designated it a priority-one security.”
Swanson swiveled his seat, looked at the ceiling; and then at Burns.
“Okay, you and I run this effort, personally. Completely hands on. You obviously have thought about this book, and Brock. You started something here; and, I trust, you will finish it. Use only the best of our team. We need a good plan. Let’s start with you telling me everything about this book thing.”
“Fine; also I have to tell you about my ride here.”
“Priorities, Jake, priorities…”
“Fine…Remember; when
you first offered me this position; and Mathew took me on that tour? I was very attentive; and, he did show me a lot, in a relatively short time.”
“Yes; go on…”
“One area was a ‘Time-Trust’ pavilion, in Arden. I was so impressed; specialists and small Carriers all around. By the way, that was where I thought, in a blink; I would accept your job offer.”
“Hmm…”
“Anyway, one of my instructors was ‘Time-Trust’ specialist, Chelsea Bathwaite.”
“Chelsea; isn’t that a girl’s name?”
“Do you know him?”
“Jake, we have a global population of roughly three billion; so no, I don’t; go on.”
“Well, we sensed an immediate chemistry, of sorts; much like you and I did the first time we met in D.C.; at the weapons conventions?”
“Yes?”
“Yes, well there wasn’t enough time on that day. We had to cut it short, because you and Dr. Bellos had to travel to Jerusalem.”
“Thank you for reminding me,” Swanson sighed, exasperated. “Jake, we have a lot to cover; and I do have other meetings. Do keep that in mind.”
“Yes; while you were in Jerusalem, and in several subsequent meetings, during my training months, Bathwaite and I got to know each other rather well.”
“So are you dating? For God’s sakes, man!”
“It’s just that I never thought I’d be interested in ‘time travel’, never believed in it. Frankly, I thought like most, that it was something it isn’t. Anyway, my security training took months; and well, I spent several days with ‘Time-Trust’, learning its reality, and how travelling really works. The short of it is; I got hooked, Sir. We didn’t do anything wrong, you understand; but, within the confines of rules, of course, Bathwaite allowed me to take several brief trips. I did go back in time.”
“Oh my; that was a mouth full; now wasn’t it? I see. You realize, now, of course, that there is no such thing, as a brief trip in time.”
“Um, yes; I suppose that’s true.”
“And you met this, this author?”
Little beads of sweat began appearing on Jakes forehead.
“Yes Sir, I did. I met him four times. Like I said; it’s an interesting story.” Jake smirked. “I didn’t expect my trips could trigger anything…That reminds me; there is something else; this morning. It is important.”
“Well none of us expected this, much less ‘something else’, now did we?”
“No, Sir; it’s about the Carriers.”
“I certainly realize what time trust means, and its function; as well as the importance of Carrier relations; so, one thing at a time. There is a lot on our plate. It’s all quite a bit to follow. Give me the short versions, Jake.”
Before Jake could begin again, a priority call clicked on both Swanson’s and Jake’s Knofers. It was Bellos.
“Hello, you two. We have another situation here in Arden City. Two bombs have gone off, blowing up the Fargo building, completely, and Time-Research building 26.”
“Mathew, I’m sure Marion Brock is involved. It is his way of saying hello, and good bye.”
“Brock, hmm…I saw the security call from Jake. The bombs just went off…We saw Brock taken, by a Carrier, months ago?”
“There is something very wrong, Mathew. His news, about buying ‘Time Travel Inc.”, was displayed on all my monitors. He is alive and well.”
“Interesting; he has been in hiding all this time. Neither one of us was notified status from Carrier relations?”
“Yes; and more intriguing; his timing with the Sidron events is very suspicious. He has vowed revenge toward us-me, really, for our stopping his effort to steal C.P.T. He told me that he is after me, specifically. Mathew; and, he has a Knofer; very dangerous.”
“We have put the colonies on alert. Burns is there with you. Clarify and discuss all the issues, and report to me.”
“Yes, Mathew; we will. You have very big issues right now with the three clergy.”
“Yes, but this has top priority.”
“It’s all related, Mathew.”
“I agree.”
“Jake is already working on something. I will have him get into all of it. We will keep you posted. Are you taking all three of the bickering boys, back in time, with you?”
“That is my plan. Hopefully this will fulfill our obligation to GGM-‘S’. He wouldn’t have given them the book, if he wasn’t sure of something. It couldn’t be worse timing, though.”
Swanson grinned. “You will think of something… By the way, when do you and I undergo the new C.P.T. procedure?”
“They are going to final test it, today. I should receive results soon, as a matter of fact. I recommend we go a.s.a.p., after that. Considering our total population, the Sidron breach and, now, Brock; Knofer solid holograms don’t cut it anymore.”
“Yes, big changes. The food budget will have to increase.” Swanson smirked. “I will be in Arden, day after tomorrow. Mathew, was anyone hurt in the blasts?”
“Fifty people, all from the Complex; no one from below; Jake; are you listening?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Mathew, what about Wheeler?”
“I am handling it. Gordon, you and I are scheduled to have a meeting about the Sidron at Carrier-Hive Post 8. Are you prepared?”
“Jake and I are going over some new information that may also implicate Dr. Sheldon’s Particle Displacement.
“Well, we are investigating the bombs. Hopefully, that will tell us more. We have to keep ahead of all this, guys.”
“Mathew, how many Carriers will attend?”
“I’m told each ambassador assigned to our Posts and two Primary Adult Time Controllers, so ten.”
“I never understood why so many; when they have a hive mindset. Good luck with the clergy.”
“Yes, thanks…Be safe.”
The Knofer cut the call. Swanson focused on Jake.
“Okay, my friend; back to it. So, now tell me; how much does the author of this book know, or think he knows?”
“Sir; will I be going to the hive meeting?”
“You will now. I see no way around it, now that you have opened another Pandora’s Box. You need to tell me about your time trips. How much does this author really know about us?”
“It was not that kind of situation; and, besides, it is imperative that I tell you what happened to me, during my trip to you this morning.”
“Marion Brock is no fool, Jake. You never knew him. He was a billionaire pirate, and a killer; but no fool. I don’t know how or why he is alive; but, if he finds out, or already knows who this author is, and he can get to him through time travel; catastrophe. We need to know how much this man knows, and where he is.”
“He is dead. He died centuries ago.”
“Oh, my...Yes, of course.” Swanson thought for several seconds. “So, you think what?”
“I think, I agree that this book could motivate Brock. But, I’m not sure he can do much. Remember, since the author is dead, Brock can’t change anything in the timeline.”
Swanson rolled his eyes, perked up and said, “Hmm, well, I’m sure you learned a lot, in your training; but, perhaps one thing you don’t know, is that, by meeting this author, you made yourself part of his timeline. So, if Brock could talk to him; and, through him, get to you in that timeline, he could use you to change things here and now. In that case, we would have quite a different game, all together; would we not? You are not dead, at all, are you?”
Jake pondered, as he listened, and watched Swanson, flipping through the pages of the book.
“Also, my friend, there is a lot of information, within these pages that reveal our culture. While it only generally describes C.P.T. and Mathew’s success transposing the holograms, this could result in dramatic consequences; up on the surface, if read by the wrong people…Jake, Jake…”
Swanson sighed, while Burns got up and paced.
“Sir, I want you to understand. I met the autho
r four different times during his life. I, of course, was the same age I am now.”
“I know how old you are.”
“Yes, well, the ‘sum total’ of our time together was only four of his days.”
Swanson’s eyes widened and he was noticeably annoyed as he listened.
“So, four days with you in them, are just sitting out there, forever. That is a lot of time and opportunity for Brock to make catastrophic changes. This is ‘a hard way’ to learn the lesson. That time can be used, as a most powerful tool, against us, Jake. It can’t be taken lightly, or used, frivolously, at the whim of the moment. Now; how much can you tell me?”
“Actually, that book was found last week, in the New York Public Library. An old police buddy of mine called me. He read it and noticed my name. He thought it funny, given the date the book was written. He sent it to me at the Arden police station. I read it, and sent it to you, via Carrier, because I wanted ‘strict security’.
The truth is, that the author was a very stimulating man, and I did not resist conversations. But, I may have twisted his life a bit, showing up when he was different ages.”
“I am certain of that.”
Jake grinned and continued, “It was during our second meeting; we hit it off so well. He was fortyish, as I recall. I even thought, ‘What a great candidate for ‘Ever-Life’; if only it hadn’t been a ‘Time-Trust’ issue. Anyway, we talked at great length, about many issues and subjects. I tell you Gordon; there have been some pretty intelligent average people, living on the surface.”
“Hah! No one ever argued that point. So, is that when he wrote the book?”
“I think he started it then; but, later he said he dismissed our first meetings as dreams. I think that was due to the fog that comes from the experience.”
“Obviously he was able to overcome it. What were his other ages, when you met?”
“The first time was during his college years. He was a first year student, as I recall. It was 1965. We were together around six hours. He was in crisis. I tried to help. Something horrible had happened to him. I felt he needed me; and, there was something about him…”
“1965, eh? Make a note. Find out if anything significant happened, concerning Brock back then.”
Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust Page 27